Quentin Tarantino Criticizes Actor Paul Dano in "There Will Be Blood" as 'a Big Giant Flaw': Describes Him as 'a Weak, Uninteresting Guy'

Quentin Tarantino has sharply criticized Paul Danos performance in the 2007 film There Will Be Blood, calling the actor the movies big giant flaw during a recent appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast.

While discussing his favorite films of the 21st century, Tarantino placed the historical epic at number five but insisted it could have ranked higher if not for Dano's role. He argued that the character dynamic was meant to function as a two-hander, yet Danos presence failed to match the intensity brought by Daniel Day-Lewis.

Hes weak sauce, Tarantino said, adding that he found Dano to be a weak, uninteresting guy. He suggested that actor Austin Butler would have been a far stronger fit for the part.

Day-Lewis, who portrayed oil tycoon Daniel Plainview, earned an Academy Award for the performance. Dano played Eli, a young preacher whose escalating conflict with Plainview forms the core of the films narrative.

Tarantino emphasized that his issue was not that Dano delivered a terrible performance, but that the role lacked the weight needed to stand opposite Day-Lewis. He noted that the imbalance diminished the films intended dramatic tension.

The director also shared that his top film since 2000 is Ridley Scotts Black Hawk Down, followed by Toy Story 3 and Lost in Translation. His full list additionally includes Dunkirk, There Will Be Blood, Zodiac, Unstoppable, Mad Max: Fury Road, Shaun of the Dead and Midnight in Paris.

Author: Zoe Harrison